About Ruchira
Welcome to my joyful place !
My name is Ruchira Agrawal and I have been a west coast resident for the past 25 years - first in San Fransisco, California and currently in Vancouver BC. I feel pretty fortunate being able to live amidst these world-class scenic locations that are surrounded by the Pacific ocean, mountains ranges, lakes and rivers. If I were to describe the feeling in one word, it would be - Serenity. Okay, another word - Joy!
And that is what I hope to capture through my lens and bring into your space through my modern still life and fine art photography. If you are looking to transform your home or office into a calm sanctuary, one that restores you energetically, I hope my nature, landscape and kitchen wall art prints will help you do that.
Personally, I am a minimalist, avid cook, gardener, traveller, nature lover, spiritualist and passionate about environment, sustainability and education. I enjoy interior design and am drawn to simplicity, texture, water, forests, desert and herbs. And you will see these reflected in my work.
My creative journey (photography and arts) began in 2020, during the peak of Covid pandemic (before that I would make digital art images but they would sit on my mobile or in the cloud, if anything contributing towards digital waste). It was a season of darkness and disconnect. One day while I was scouring through Youtube, I stumbled upon still life - food photography - after finding professional food photographer Joanie Simon's channel - The Bite Shot. Her photography was very colourful and uplifting, and it was just what I needed to distract myself from the stay at home blues. Her videos gave me the basic information on - art techniques, lighting, composition as well as the photography gear to use. For styling and prop selection that you see in my food related images, I relied on my personal sense of style. Later, I went on to take a Masterclass by another professional landscape and portrait photographer Joel Grimes on Still Life and Prints which further helped hone my skills.
Fast forward to 2022 when life has thankfully gone back to normal and it's safe to travel again, I am sharing my love for rugged west coast outdoors via Landscape and Nature photography. What I love about nature is that it's unique, raw and real. No scene is filtered or duplicated. It's also a big healer. Just a simple walk along water or in the woods can refresh body, mind and soul.
Creating art using Photography allows me to "Be Present"; to notice the subtle play between light and darkness and reveal subject's best through the right combination of exposure, composition and depth of field. It allows me to express myself visually. Fine art photography to me isn't about documenting what lies in front of me but it's about capturing the emotion of the moment, telling a compelling story about the subject and sharing the magic.
Often, we stay focused on the daily grind with a mental checklist of all the things we need to do next. We are everywhere but in the present. Through my still life and fine art images, I hope to bring attention to the importance of being Mindful and Grateful. To bring joy and appreciation for simple every day tasks - from shopping for season's freshest produce to enjoying earth's abundant beauty.
Fine art photography isn't my day job, more a labor of love, creative expression and a part time business. I work in Sales and Marketing for Technology companies. My background is in business with few years spent in executive coaching where I helped professionals become better leaders in work and life.
I do hope when you view my online gallery that my fine art photography art inspires you to take some time out for yourself and step into your own outdoor adventure ! It allows you to experience the calm and joy that I feel when I am out exploring. Thank you for visiting !